News-Miner Editorial
Palin has much to prove
Alaskans can cheer even while wondering
Published Friday, August 29, 2008
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Stumble It!Sen. John McCain’s selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate was a stunning decision that should make Alaskans proud, even while we wonder about the actual merits of the choice.
No Alaskan politician has risen to such national prominence before. The closest was former Gov. Wally Hickel, who President Nixon chose as Interior secretary in 1969. Palin is truly a remarkable figure, a person carried forward to enormous fame by the times and her personal charm and principles.
Alaskans and Americans must ask, though, whether she should become vice president and, more importantly, be placed first in line to become president.
When a candidate for president picks a vice presidential running mate, that partner ought to have more qualifications than this: “She’s not from Washington.”
McCain offered that justification this morning for his decision. There was a lot more, of course, about the governor’s “grit, integrity and devotion to the common good.” But after cataloging her basic decency and compassion for the common man, what was there? “She’s not from Washington.”
No doubt about it. In fact, as the governor herself acknowledged in her acceptance speech, she never set out to be involved in public affairs. She has never publicly demonstrated the kind of interest, much less expertise, in federal issues and foreign affairs that should mark a candidate for the second-highest office in the land. Republicans rightfully have criticized the Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, for his lack of experience, but Palin is a neophyte in comparison; how will Republicans reconcile the criticism of Obama with the obligatory cheering for Palin? Or will everyone just be forced to drop the subject? That’s not a comforting possibility. Although no one has the perfect resume and experience isn't everything, it is an important quality to weigh. Palin, if elected vice president, would ascend to the presidency if anything should happen to McCain, who turned 72 today.
Most people would acknowledge that, regardless of her charm and good intentions, Palin is not ready for the top job. McCain seems to have put his political interests ahead of the nation’s when he created the possibility that she might fill it.
It’s clear that McCain picked Palin for reasons of image, not substance. She’s a woman. She has fought corruption. She has fought the oil companies. She’s married to a union member. These are portrayals for campaign speeches; they are not policy positions.
There was also some pandering right from the start. “I told Congress `Thanks but no thanks on that bridge to nowhere,’ ” Palin reported to the crowd in Dayton, Ohio. “If our state wanted a bridge, I said, we’d build it ourselves.”
But the state kept the bridge money. That’s because Alaskans pay federal gas taxes and they expect a good share to come back, just like people do in every other state. We build very little by ourselves, and any governor who would turn that tax money down likely would be turned out of office.
Palin’s image as a fresh reformer works on some level, for the moment. The governor, as she is quite able to do, delivered a good speech in a strong voice. The crowd cheered her enthusiastically, only occasionally fading into the “huh?” mode during the presentation. The televised punditry followed up with mostly positive comments, calling Palin’s selection a clever “chess move” by McCain.
The chess analogy offers some caution. Gov. Palin, while extending her amazing adventure in politics, must prove she is more than a pawn.
Community Discussion
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What happened to journalistic integrity, and fair reporting? This reeks of personal bias (yes, I realize it is opinion, but it's the opinion of the newspaper, and should be managed carefully). In the experience section, you fail to mention that she has had 4 years on the City Council, 6 years as mayor, 2 years as Governor. Add it up and she's got 12 years in public office, and is more qualified than Obama, so don't try that game. Plus, she has executive leadership experience, and has gone after corruption aggressively. Additionally, she speaks to the conservative base, which was lacking a platform in this race.
Besides, she's the VP candidate. It's better for the VP to have less experience than the President versus the other way around.
Try to leave the bias behind and you might see that this was a solid pick. "Not from Washington" is exactly what we need. Up until today, I had no idea who I was voting for (wasn't planning on McCain OR Obama), but this sealed the deal.
Talk about embedded good old boy political thinking, or maybe it is just the continuance of the public version of the corrupted bast--- club. For those who think youth is a negative, look at some of the most successful people in the US (Bill Gates, hedge fund managers, etc). So what is Obama or Palin lack wrinkles or gray hair. No one should forget that this election year is creating history that will forever change politics as we have know them. It is about time.
I have to agree with Phlebian and Big Mike here.
And I'm NOT a Republican.
Talk about a very biased mentality.
Seems like whenever something arises that directly involves Sarah Palin, you're quick to chime in and criticize.
Yeah News-Miner....Sarah Palin beat out your boy Frank Murkowski to become Governor. Got rid of his damn airplane too.
And yes...she's shaken up the "old boy" network down in Juneau.
And furthermore, she's put her own stamp on the proposed natural gas pipeline regardless of how anyone, including you feel about it.
Choke on all of that, and much more if you will.
As I've said before, this was a smart move by McCain.
During these trying times, many millions are TIRED of the "old boy" network, the same damn (old) faces, and the rich getting richer.
On the political scene period, regardless of your party affiliation, these are historic times.
I, personally, never thought I'd live to see the day a Black man would even remotely have a chance to become President of the United States. Democrat Barack Obama is a trendsetter, and one I am extremely proud of.
Republican Sarah Palin has ascended to that same level with me. She represents women in the same way....very well indeed...and has a chance to become Vice-President of the United States.
To hell with what you think...whether it was a good choice or not.
As you would have it DNM, put one of the SAME OLD 'fat cats" with fat pockets in the spot.
Evidently, Candidate McCain didn't roll with your lousy opinion.
Finally, Alaskan's should be proud of this woman.
She represents "ordinary" Alaskans.
Hell, we talked in the damn grocery store together, and in other non-political....normal everyday venue's.
No entourage (unless you include her large clan)...no security...just her. I'm honored to know her as a friend...colleague (former Journalist), Governor of the State of Alaska....and now Repubican nominee for Vice-President.
Has she moved up quickly? Yes!
Is she "experienced" enough to do the job?
Many thought she couldn't "cut the mustard" as Governor....and were surprised to find out...she could.
Regardless of what you say in this opinion, why can't you give this woman her due during some very historic times.
She represents Alaska!
And oh yeah....for once, whereas Sarah Palin is concerned....put down the EXTREMELY large bottle of "Hater-Aid."
Your bias is quite glaring......
And yes "Woodman.." I agree with you too.....
It is TRULY....about time!
Guy, Guys, Guys. Read it again. He applauds her accomplishments full throat. This isn't a tear down piece. He only has an opinion, as is his constitutional right, that she may not be ready for this level of leadership. And any rational thinking non biased person would/should use the same careful analysis of what she has done and can do. Even Sandy Koufax started in the minors...
I realize it's a big no-no to go against the new Alaskan cult religion that is Palinism, but take a hard, objective look at this situation for a moment. McCain is 72. If he keels over the day after winning the presidency, assuming he wins, we will have someone immediately catapulted into office who has practically no international experience in economics, certainly none whatsoever in military matters (for that matter she has no experience whatsoever even at the state level beyond the Ak. National Guard and, frankly, we have yet to declare war on anyone,so...), she has no experience in running a nation as diverse as America is in both its problems and resources. And other than the little bit of experience gained in 18 months (not 2 years, even) as governor, she has no real federal experience. In short, she is woefully inadequate to stepping up instantly and this is not the sort of job where OJT is acceptable. Furthermmore, as we have seen from the Monegan issue it would appear she is not above using her office in personal matters. Certainly, she has no sense of conserving natural resources including fisheries and wildlife for she has already demonstrated she is quite willing to give those away to special interests such as the mining interests and the extremists of the Alaska Outdoors Council. She is, in short, a small town mayor used to small town politics. As cute and perky as she may be, when it comes to international politics she would be a tidbit to be chewn up and thrown away. And the Republicans want to put her one heartbeat away from the presidency?
The NM (and I never thought I would say this about their traditionally very conservative editorials) is right on the mark with what they have said. The Palinist Cult may not want to hear it but it is now more than just a matter of Alaska....it's the whole country we put at risk of inadequate leadership. We've somehow survived 8 years of it, now, We don't need to face a potential 4 more with a McCain/Palin ticket to disaster.
I saw ol Frank buying duck decoys at sentry hardware maybe he had time to write this editorial before heading out hunting.
To all who question the experience, how much experience did George Washington have when it came time to be the first President of the United States. Palin is going for Vice President. Seems to me that this is exactly what the founding fathers had in mind. The last thing they wanted was a "monarchy". Look at the Clintons, Bushes, if you think we weren't heading towards family monarchy.
I have more confidence in Palin as Commander in Chief than I do in Obama. As a Marine infantry veteran I would be proud to serve and fight once again if it was under McCain and Palin.
Republican Presidents and Democratic Congresses are what this nation needs in order to continue to be the Greatest Nation on Earth.
FreeDarfur asks: "how much experience did George Washington have when it came time to be the first President of the United States?"
Well, he did win an itty-bitty little war, commanding an army in the process, but apart from that...
Palin fought corruption.
Until she saw a chance to give her sister a leg up in the custody battle, then she became just like the rest.
Is it too much to ask that a politician not even have the taint of corruption or criminality anymore?
"Alaska, where men are men and a woman tells the oil companies to kiss our A$$"
WTG Palin.
I get a kick out of the editorials of ""news miners editorials staff" Talk about "anominity"?? The news miner sucks!!!
Let's face the reality of politics. There are now certain regions in this country that are needed to win the election for presidency. Alaska is not one of them. There are reasons why Palin was brought into this race. Never forget one thing, she is a conservative Republican. McCain rides the line.
There are a few southern States that could swing. Alaska is often called the northern most southern State in the union. Ohio is undecided. Historically, Ohio is needed. Why do you think all four candidates are in Ohio this weekend. The evangelic support of McCain has weaken. Who better than a pro lifer, mother, etc. could swing them back. Don't underestimate the power of women, especially older, white women who supported Hilary.
Arguments about experience are not going to swing this election. The ability to carry key regions in the United States is what the candidates are looking at. These regions have issues specific to the region that will be addressed. This should be an interesting election to watch.
Was Theodore Roosevelt ready? The party bosses didn't think so. Was Harry Truman ready. People laughed. Was Abraham Lincoln ready? Many thought he was a freak. Is Sarah ready? Who could be ready for a job like president of the United States? She is probably as ready as anyone.
Oh you whiney people get on my nerves. If you don't like the DNM editorials, go start your own newspaper and write whatever the hell you want. The DNM editorial staff isn't beholden to any of you whiney critics. Get over it. Why should the editorial reflect YOUR opinion? Do you all out there think you're that freakin' special? Get over yourselves.
"It’s clear that McCain picked Palin for reasons of image, not substance. She’s a woman. She has fought corruption. She has fought the oil companies. She’s married to a union member. These are portrayals for campaign speeches; they are not policy positions".
Of these four observations, only that she's a woman and married to a union member can arguably be called "image". But fighting corruption and the oil companies are not substantive issues pertinent to policy? C'mon now.
Did you ever read the history of how Abraham Lincoln became president , the least likely of four . Palin or Obama each fit his description .
Editors of the News Miner regarding your Opinion letter on Aug. 30th 2008, this is one of the proudest days in Alaskan history, its not a day for running down our state's elected leader.
Sarah Palin - a heart beat away from the presidency provides Alaskan's with the hope of ANWR, with a better shot at AGIA, and with EXXON thinking twice about taking advantage of Alaska! Do you think all the good that may come out of this is worth demeaning her for, besides your points were ill grounded. Obama has NO executive experience, NO major policy's enacted, MINIMAL experience on the national level, and NO real plan for America. He talks on and on about how he plans to fix every problem Americans have, but the only real methods he has put forward are by raising taxes and throwing our money at the problems, he has NO viable plan!!!
Sarah Palin has 13 years as an elected official and in her tenure as Mayor of Wasilla, she reduced property taxes and saw her city become the fastest growing city in the nation. In her 20 months of being Governor she implemented an energy plan that passed through the legislature, she pushed the energy rebate plan that helped hundreds of thousands of Alaskans, many of whom were wondering how they were going to make it through the winter. She passed necessary ethics reform legislation to put an end to the "Good ol boy" system as we've know it.
Would the editors of this news paper propose Obama as the choice for experienced and effective leadership that would benefit Alaskans?
Or will they choose a proven leader who has shown that she can get tough jobs done quickly and with the integrity Americans deserve.
Sincerely,
Seth Church
On the day of Palin's nomination this is put forth -
Unbelievable....this paper has once again reached a new low
You guys couldn't even hold your bias off for a day or two, could ya....
A great day for Alaska - a typical day for the DNM....
Anyone wanna pitch in and start raising capital for a new Fairbanks Paper, drop me a line
If you people would do a little research into ownership of the DNM, you might understand a little better why they have the opinions they do. Face it, its politics. Boil it down and everyone has only one opinion, voiced on a November Tuesday. It is the swaying of opinion that counts before then, and that's what the DNM does best in its editorial pieces.
DNM = big business, status quo, and the good ole boy club, and will never write a piece contrary to this ideology. This editorial is an opinion generated to discredit and sway the votes of those who are unable to form an educated opinion on their own; but more than that, it is symbolic of the last gasps of a dying political machine.
Good riddance.
When Ronald Reagan ran for President in 1980 he had absolutely no substantive foreign policy experience. His only prior elected experience was serving as Governor of California for eight years (1968-1976).
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/8384
Barry Obama has only been on the national scene for 3 years, and half of that was him running for president. Barry Obama has no executive experience. Senators don't gain the administrative type of executive experience that governors and mayors get. Mayors and governors don't get the foreign policy experience that senators get. It's the nature of things.
Yep, new low for the DNM!! I think it ironic that you are now having to watch as our wonderful Governor rises and you are just left with ole Frank and the good ole boys, politics as usual. She, on the other hand, is rising...higher than you could have ever even imagined!! HA, HA!!
Remember when CW owned the newsminer? It actually stood for something. It had pride in Fairbanks and Alaska. After reading this article i thought of old CW and how he is turning over in his grave and the kind of crap this paper has turned into.
It makes me wonder who actually owns the company (or group of companies) that own our newspaper?
While I am not above wacking DNM on their anti-Palin VP news, I still respect their tolerance of comments from her supporters. Give 'em a break.
Finally, a Newsminer editorial I can agree with.
More administrative experience than either of the D's and she's only #2 on the R ticket.
As your mother told you, "If you can't say something nice...." It seems on this day the Snooze Miner just might have kept this opinion just a wee bit more positive. There will be plenty of time in the next 60 days for the bashing.
I think the real bias is with all of you who are giddy with the idea that the governor of a podunk state is ready for the world stage just because she is from your state.
Relax folks, she'll be back full time the end of Jan. 2009
Well, said, Clyde.
Evidently the NM is owned by Media News Group (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_News_...)
"...some former employees say that the newspapers are focused on making a profit to the detriment of good journalism..."
Interesting.
This election year finally got interesting. Obama is becoming a middle of the road Democrat, bet all the ultra liberals love that. McCain has put a smile on Hilary's face. Obama made Oprah cry. Joe will have to behave himself in the debate next week. The Republicans have more cute kids than the Democrat candidates and more sons in the military. The media finally has someone that looks good, won't have to air brush the wrinkles away. All things that should be use to select a President and Vice President. Anyone out there capable of talking policy.
"podunk state" ???
Center for international travel, trade delegations in many pacific rim countries, high percentage of population with university education, world class scientific studies university, major supplier of energy to the United States, one of the largest investment funds in the United States, high per capita incomes, one of the most popular tourist destinations. State owned profitable railroad. Where have you been, boys?
All you ney sayers,...like I said:
Alaska, where men are men and a woman govenor tells the oil co.s to "put out or get out".
My kind of gal, govenor, VP!!!
I lived in Wasilla during those years- believe me, my property taxes took a big leap up- not down. A lot of hype going on here. I am glad to see her go myself. The in state Gas Line is never going to happen with her in office here. Go Sarah Go!!
John McCain says that "not [being] from Washington" is the main qualification for his VP choice, Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin.
If not being from Washington qualifies you to be a hair's breadth from the oval office, then there are more than a quarter-billion qualified Americans for the job.
And, one might rightly ask, if not being a Washington insider is so preferable in choosing a candidate, what business do we have electing John McCain, with over a quarter-century as a beltway insider?
Also, if, as Alaskan Republicans claim, Governor Palin's selection is "good for Alaska," which I highly doubt in the first place, what about the other 49 states? Surely they deserve a candidate good for them, too?
It has been said that we are entitled to our own opinions, but not our own facts. Here's a fact: John McCain chose Governor Palin without even coming to Alaska or sending his search committee. He simply does not know her. Period. Had he vetted her more carefully, he would have found that she is embroiled in not one but two scandals at home, both involving cronyism and bullying from the corner office. One is nakedly personal, involving her misguided attempt to soothe her sister's personal feelings about her ex-husband. The other is about what most corruption is about, money.
Nice.
The scrutiny the Governor brings to Alaska will be good for the hotel industry, as reporters come to dig the dirt, but that may be the end of it. If you'll recall, heightened scrutiny did nothing for Geraldine Ferraro. Also, prior to her scandal-plagued governorship, Ms. Palin was the mayor of a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. There are more children in the school systems of medium-sized American suburbs than there are citizens in Wasilla.
Republicans are going to have a tough time keeping a stiff upper lip as they put their personal credibility on the line for Ms. Palin. Unfortunately, it will take something stronger than a deep swig of Kool-Aid to brace them for this odious task.
I applaud the state pride, her "realness", her somewhat nascent credentials as a reformer and the chance for a woman to ascend to this opportunity.
But none of that necessarily qualifies a person for this arena! All these comments that she represents everyday people reflect exactly what is wrong and cynically cultivated by our current political landscape, and by that I mean Republicanism.
Shouldn't we aspire to something more than the charms of the "regular guy"?! This country was founded on the highest ideals, given shape in the most thoughtful form of government in the world. All those people, that discourse, would be torn apart by today's republicans as "elitist". We need to look for people who seek a higher ideal, inspire to reach the promise laid out for this country. Not more empty vessels for Rove and friends.
While some of her accomplishments are commendable her resume is simply in a different league than Obama's though this comparison is clearly the political tact being taken by the republicans and may of the comments here. It reeks of cynicism and current lack of imagination plaguing us.
Obama has spent nearly his entire professional career on the front lines of public service and pushed himself to the highest levels of education to prepare for that.
To compare the 2 is simply the lazy thinking that republicans depend on when they propose "people we would want to have a beer with" like George Bush and Sarah Palin. And that is a compliment - they are both probably wonderful people but they are & were not up to the task based on previous performance.
Obama was the head of the Harvard Law Review for god's sakes. Sarah Palin for all her charms and energy, asked, and I paraphrase, "what does the V.P. really do?" and said recently that she "hasn't been able to pay much attention to world events".
I am sure she is great to talk to in the "damn grocery store" as one comment so aptly put it but I fear for our democracy if what is spoken here reflects the standard by which we make these decisions. We should demand not to be just charmed but inspired.
I am so tired of people comparing Sarah's experience level to Obama's. She has gained experience only in small town Alaska. The population of her domain is less than one county of Obama's. Going from Wasilla to Juneau was a huge step and she immediately made mistakes that have come back to haunt her. The VP slot is being filled with her only as a ploy to get votes for McCain. I'm sorry, I don't want a sick president that is 77 years old dropping his responsibility to an inexperienced person who has yet to prove worthy. Obama may be inexperienced but he has been in Washington and knows how the real world is.
Right now I am wondering about this particular rumor starting to make its rounds.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8...
I've read some disturbing things about her husband. Is there site I can read more about him?
Let's summarize the comments here:
"Please don't say anything objective or truthful. We are blissfully enjoying our ignorance."
pavel: That's right up there with the 9/11 conspiracy garbage, and it comes from the same source: the loony fringe of the already less than rational left.
what exactly has she accomplished in her political career?
she was a desperate 2nd choice for McCain who is a desperate choice for a desperate party that has all but destroyed our Nation in 8 years.
Congratulations- the snoozy for most boring thread of the day goes tooooooooooooooo-This one. lol Don't forget the other 14 threads on the same subject and please no repeat comments.
I'd say a Harvard lawyer is the last thing we need in the White House...
I'm usually right: today, you are indeed right. No criticism or questioning of our governor, or you must be a whacko. It's easy to avoid debate (which clearly, no supporters of Palin wish to do at this juncture) if you claim the other side is crazy. Perhaps we should build a silicon igloo with which to protect her so she'll be protected from such discourse?
So much for a hometown newspaper, huh! This rag is getting sleazer by the day and some will not forget it. Thats why we use it in our 2 hole outhouse for thats all its good for.
The dems are funny, Jimmie carter was not from Washington,Bill Clinton was not from Washington and he ran Arkansas that was in the bottom 5 ranking in all categories of state rankings that there were. Carter from another state that was on the bottom of the list. Carter on his own had us in the worst shape with the highest interest rates in our history. Bill Clinton destroyed Social Security with his IOU's and cannibalized our military. At least Palin has run the largest state in the union. Obama has only ran a office. Palin has got the dems worried and right so.
Here's a thought: Maybe not everyone agrees that a stunning soccer mom and beauty queen who managed a bunch of srip malls on the highway, oops, I meant was mayor of Wasilla, can step up and be vice president. ABCnews.com said it the best: "Dan Quayle in a dress"
I am a resident of Dayton, Ohio where Governor Palin appeared yesterday with Senator McCain. I learned of your editorial from the innumerable e-mails swirling about, as it is generally being scoffed at for its obvious innacuracies. I just had to see if such an editorial had really been written.
To call your governor a "neophyte" compared to Senator Obama shows a wanton disregard for the fact that Gov. Palin has actually effected change in government. Has Sen. Obama even been a mayor? No. Name one piece of legislation authored by Sen. Obama. You can't. Name one foreign policy move orchestrated as a result of his ostensibly profound insight. Again, you can't. Sen. Obama is nothing more than an orator. This country does not need an orator. To quote Sen. McCain, Gov. Palin is "exactly what we need".
Sen. Obama may be intriguing for obvious reasons, but certainly not for his experience as an executive political leader. Any neophyte can discern that the politicos who lined up behind Obama saw an opportunity to pull puppet strings, as they never could have pulled Sen. Clinton's strings. That should be patently obvious.
But here we have Governor Palin who is obviously not a puppet - or a "pawn", to use the News-Miner's word. Moreover, we now have a presidential ticket, for the first time in decades, where the nominees are distinctly not party-liners. Neither Sen. Obama, and especially Senator Biden, can make that claim. We actually have the rare opportunity to vote for a statesman and stateswoman, as opposed to yet another set of politians with the same old grandiose promises that never seem to come true.
Surely, the News-Miner doesn't think the citizens of the United States are so far eroded in their mentalities as to be duped into thinking that your Governor is void of "policy positions". Even here is Ohio, long before this momentous announcement, Gov. Palin was being observed in the news for her policy decisons (specifically, the lawsuit regarding ANWAR.) On the contrary, name one policy decision by Sen. Obama that has caused any ripple whatsoever in the life of a Illinois or U.S. citizen. There is none. I say again, he is nothing but an orator. If elected, he would be a lame duck, beholden to every powerful democratic leader there is, with a Vice President more calculating than Dick Cheney.
Your governor is admired by the people of Alaska because she actually governs. Speaking as a small-business owner and Republican from Ohio, we have a Democratic governor who is also well-liked because he governs with integrity for the people of Ohio. Yet, once again, name one occasion where Sen. Obama has singly governed the people. You can't. Barack Obama is the true neophyte in this game.
It is plain strange to see so much debate centering around "personality" and to a lesser extent, "experience".
What about the ISSUES affecting the country, state, and world in this grave moment of history?
The President of the United States is probably the single most powerful person in the world.
For candidates running for that office or VP, you have to look at the country's situation vs. what you believe they would do regarding the ISSUES, based on their policy preferences and records.
Obviously their experience is a factor, but what do YOU think should happen, and and HOW would the candidates you prefer make it happen?
How much have each one of us thought about this?
Well, as a non Republican nor Democrat, I feel that it's about time to have someone new, and as energetic as Palin. Just look a most of us whine about Palin because of her supposedly "inexperience." Look at the job approval for Congress and Bush, and you will realize why we need new blood from outside of Washington. Every candidate is a Washington insiders, old "far..." (gas") without new ideas. The simple fact that Palin is being compared to Obama is an indication that her record is at least as good or better than Obama's. Also, compare the resumes of both Palin and Obama, and you will realize that Obama's comes across as a college graduate trying to expand his experiences. Not so with Palin's. Go ahead and take a look for yourselves.
This is history in the making, and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to witness it. I had no intentions of voting for McCain, but I can certainly vote for Palin even if the vote goes to him.
And yes, I am old gas, too.
I beleive Mrs. Palin has the quilification to be VP. I was surprised but I support it after know her past.
Don't know if this is good or bad.
AMEN, finally the DNM got something RIGHT!!!
dsmohler and others on the Outside: The great citizens of Alaska are worried that their "seniority" in Washington is about to be eroded through indictments and potential convictions. Alaskans tend to simultaneously deride federal government while freaking out that their earmarks will go away!! If only they had voted Stevens or Young out when they should have, they wouldn't be so scared now.
When I see all these haters spreading their vitriol (that's garbage for the no-child-left-behind folks) She is great. And the fact that she is not a career politician (she is a MOM!) is why people hate her. They would rather have the criminals we have in the senate and congress. What is wrong with Alaska, anyway??? Are you all just stupid?
YES.
The fact that Alaska is big, rich, and smart has nothing to do with Palin, crosswind. I do not hate her because she is a mom, I don't hate her at all, este. I think that for the most part she has done a rather admirable job as governor. I think that she a horrible choice for VP or for the presidency though. Obama may not have a lot of experience, but, he has some national and international experience that goes a long way. Palin has none. She found going to Pennsylvania interesting. Obama was on the right side of the Iraq war. Palin didn't even follow the war even though her son enlisted in the army. Her response to the war on terror is "we haven't been attacked again so it must be working". That is a completely juvenile, ignorant, undereducated response to something as important as the "war on terror". All she is is the same old Republican politics that got us into the sorry state of affairs that we are in as a nation, wrapped up in a dress. She is applying for a job and by her own admition, does not even know what the job entails. It may be great to talk to her in the supermarket but, she would be in way over her head as VP. You can wrap up the job of Alaska state governor in as pretty a bow as you want but, when push comes to shove it is a cake walk compared to what she would be up against as VP. Nothing that the governor of Alaska does is very important or pressure oriented. If it doesn't get done today, there is always tomorrow. Not so with the presidency. One wrong decision and it is goodbye Isreal. Do you really think that we need two more aggressive, shoot first and ask questions later people in the White House to clean up Bush's mess?
for all you lemmings who would blindly follow Palin off a cliff, check out www.huffingtonpost.com
A few posters have alluded to the "scandal" during Gov. Palin's administration.
Her former brother-in-law, a State Trooper, along with other criminal acts, threatened to kill the Governor's father, and used a taser on his own young son. This man was a State Troooper! How could anyone lay blame on the Governor's office for questioning this man's qualifications to be in law enforcement?
I have a favorable opinion of Gov. Palin as governor, but I agree that she is not ready for the VP slot. It's funny to hear Republicans tout her "executive experience" and talk about how much more qualified she is than Obama. Not only is Palin a Washington outsider, she is so far outside that she's tragically ignorant of what's going on there. And I'm sorry, but simply holding the title of commander-in-chief of the Alaska National Guard does not give her any expertise in international relations or national security. She's an expert on oil, but I thought we wanted to wean ourselves from that. The bottom line is that she is running primarily on charisma. So is Obama, except that Obama has been studying the issues confronting the presidency for years, while Palin has been doing so for days.
Palin has some wonderful leadership qualities, and she could become a good VP. But as of right now she honestly isn't qualified.
But the simple fact that you are comparing Obama to Palin should tell you that she is as qualified to be "president" as much as Obama. What has Obama done in Congress? How long has he been a senator? Years?
Nearly four years as a U.S. Senator, Ray, not to mention his eight years in the Illinois senate, his 12 years as a professor teaching constitutional law and his work as a community organizer and civil rights attorney.
What has he done in congress? He has sponsored or worked on many different types of legislation. You are probably smart enough to use Google, are you not?
Boy, Alaskans are harder in their left-wing ideology that the lower 48. Someone who says they are your reporter, Robert Dillon, was on Fox News Channel today saying she DID OK...but, she stuck to the written script that the McCain camp gave her...WELL, LET ME LET YOU IN ON A LITTLE SECRET....THE ABC LEFT-WINGER CHARLES GIBSON WOULD NOT INTERVIEW HER IF SHE KNEW THE QUESTIONS BEFOREHAND...THAT IS A PRIVILEGE ONLY GIVEN TO BARAK OBAMA ...so SHE WASN'T SCRIPTED BECAUSE SHE KNEW NO QUESTIONS...and she did pretty damn good in our eyes, but we weren't looking to bring her down, we are with her and she is a breath of fresh air .. obama took more than 19 months to go on a channel that wasn't left-wing, but, fair and balanced with left and right reporters...and she did it in two weeks going on a left-wing
station - we love her and we will vote for her even if there are jealous ideologs in Alaska who want to demean her
boy, is patrick kerber wrong on his facts...but, why bother, he won't bother to get them right. Have you aver seen his left-wing rants that he has tried to distance himself from lately ? no, he didn't nothing for those who live in Illinois...ask the people...civil rights attorney ? he has had 147 days in the senate, the rest of the time he has been campaigning and not in Washington, DC to vote anything but PRESENT....because he can't make decisions...he is listed by the liberal watch group as their MOST LIBERAL SENATOR..THINK JOE BIDEN IS LISTED AS THEIR THIRD MOST LIBERAL...wait and see what health care is like under them...look at Canada's broken system where Hillary Clinton had to take her friend living in Canada to America for treatment because she couldn't get in for treatment in Canada...what a disaster those both men would be for America...THE TRUE AMERICANS WILL BE VERY UPSET...HE WANTS TO TAX THOSE WHO HIRE PEOPLE OUT OF BUSINESS...AND HE DOESN'T WANT DRILLING...BECAUSE IT WILL CREATE JOBS...AND HE DOESN'T WANT THAT...HE WANTS TO BE A SLAVE MASTER WHO RULES HIS SLAVES BY GOVERNING THEM FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE..WITH NO THOUGHTS OF THEIR OWN...JUST FOLLOW THE PIPER INTO SOCIALISM...AND GO THE WAY OF THE OTHER SOCIALIST COUNTRIES...
MAYBE KARMA WILL COME BACK ON THOSE WHO WANTED GOVERNMENT RUN HEALTH CARE...AND THEY WILL SEE A LOVED ONE DIE WHEN THEY COULDN'T GET HELP..ALL PEOPLE WHO GO INTO THE LOWER 48'S HOSPITALS ARE TREATED WITHOUT ASKING FOR INSURANCE...OR ASKING IF THEY ARE LEGAL OR NOT..IT'S A LAW...AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY A BILL IF THEY CAN'T..SO WHAT WILL UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE DO FOR ANYONE...EXCEPT MAKE TAXES GO THROUGH THE ROOF
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